JAPAN'S PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22198, 27 February 1934, Page 9

JAPAN'S PROBLEM

RURAL POPULATION NECESSITY FOR RELIEF. TOKIO, February 14. The Budget having been passed by the Lower House, the Japanese Government must now deal with the vexed problem of relief for the impoverished rural population which produces the nation's food, rice, fish, and vegetables, as well as silk. While the Lower House passed the Budget, all parties voiced dissatisfaction at the lack of a rural policy. Largely owing to the army's insistence, the Government -is expected to introduce a Supplementary Budget of 26,000,000 yen to be devoted to employment on public works, rice, and cocoon storage and other forms of relief. The situation is complicated by the excess of rice, and the Government is endeavouring to maintain the price by impounding grain, with the Minister of the Colonies bitterly opposing discriminatory restrictions against Korean and Formosan rice. The two leading firms, Mitsubishi and Mitsui, after mutual agreement, have given 130,000 yen each for the relief of distressed postal employees, especially toward the projected postal, hospital. This is in accord with their recent policy to assuage smouldering resentment among the public and the army against capitalism. The amount is criticised as being too . small. Coincidental ly an unknown person bombed the residence of the manager of Mitsubishi's silver mine, near Kobe.